EES and ETIAS for UK Travellers - EU Travel Changes Explained

Page contents

What is EES and what do I need to do? Which countries use EES? What is ETIAS and what do I need to know? Beware of ETIAS scams

What EES and ETIAS mean for planning a trip to Europe Checklist – before you travel Don't forget your travel insurance Staying up to date

What is EES and what do I need to do?

The Entry/Exit System (EES)

EES is a new digital border system that replaces the old passport stamp. Instead of having your passport manually stamped when you arrive in or leave Europe, your details - including a facial scan and fingerprints - are recorded electronically.

The system was launched in October 2025 and is now used in 29 European countries. As British citizens are non-EU nationals, we need to use EES when crossing European borders. The system is designed to track entries and exits digitally, to replace passport stamps.

Who does EES apply to?

UK passport holders travelling to 29 European countries for short stays (up to 90 days)UK passport holders travelling to 29 European countries for short stays (up to 90 days)
All ages - though children under 12 aren’t required to provide fingerprintsAll ages - though children under 12 aren’t required to provide fingerprints
Irish passport holders are exemptIrish passport holders are exempt
UK citizens with EU residency and the right documentation are also exemptUK citizens with EU residency and the right documentation are also exempt

What happens at the border under EES?

When you first visit a participating country (since the launch of EES) you’ll be asked to register at a dedicated desk or with a border officer. This involves:

A facial scan (by digital photo)A facial scan (by digital photo)
Giving fingerprints from both handsGiving fingerprints from both hands
Your passport being scanned and verifiedYour passport being scanned and verified

Your digital record is then stored for three years. On future trips within that period, you'll only need to verify your fingerprint or face, so it’s a quicker process.

Speed things up with the Travel to Europe app

The Travel to Europe mobile app allows you to pre-register your passport data and facial image up to 72 hours before you travel. Using it is optional, but it may help speed things up at border controls.

To download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store simply search "Travel to Europe" and make sure you choose the official app - it’s the one developed by Frontex.

To use the app

You’ll need a biometric passport, a device with NFC (Near-Field Communication) to scan your passport chip, and a front-facing camera to take a selfie.You’ll need a biometric passport, a device with NFC (Near-Field Communication) to scan your passport chip, and a front-facing camera to take a selfie.
Create a new journey by selecting the European country you're arriving in, then choose your border crossing point and expected arrival time.Create a new journey by selecting the European country you're arriving in, then choose your border crossing point and expected arrival time.
Add your personal details, scan your passport chip, take a selfie, and answer a few questions about your travel plans. You can use it to add family members too.Add your personal details, scan your passport chip, take a selfie, and answer a few questions about your travel plans. You can use it to add family members too.

Which countries use EES?

EES isn’t used in all European countries, it covers the 29 countries that make up the Schengen area:

Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Non-participating countries: Ireland and Cyprus are EU members but don’t use EES.

What is ETIAS and what do I need to know?

ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a new mandatory travel authorisation scheme for visiting Europe. If you’ve travelled to The United States before, it’s like the EU's version of the US ESTA system.

Before you travel to Europe, you'll need to apply online for permission to visit. It's not a visa, and it won't change your right to travel to Europe, it’s just a pre-travel check.

ETIAS is expected to launch towards the end of 2026. No action is needed from travellers for now. When it does launch, the process will work roughly as follows:

Apply online using the official EU website before your trip.Apply online using the official EU website before your trip.
Give basic personal details, passport information, and answer security questions.Give basic personal details, passport information, and answer security questions.
Pay a fee (expected to be between €7-€20 for adults aged 18-70, under 18s and over 70s are exempt).Pay a fee (expected to be between €7-€20 for adults aged 18-70, under 18s and over 70s are exempt).
Receive authorisation - most applications will be approved quickly, though some may take longer.Receive authorisation - most applications will be approved quickly, though some may take longer.
Your approval is then linked to your passport and is valid for three years, or when your passport expires - whichever comes first.Your approval is then linked to your passport and is valid for three years, or when your passport expires - whichever comes first.

Beware of ETIAS scams

ETIAS is not yet live, and no official applications are being accepted.ETIAS is not yet live, and no official applications are being accepted.
Any website currently claiming to offer ETIAS applications is unofficial and may be a scam.Any website currently claiming to offer ETIAS applications is unofficial and may be a scam.
When ETIAS does launch, the EU's own website will be the only way to apply.When ETIAS does launch, the EU's own website will be the only way to apply.

Because of this, only use verified government and EU sources for travel authorisation.

What EES and ETIAS mean for planning a trip to Europe

Allow extra time at the border

While EES is designed to make borders more efficient in the long run, the new system may cause longer queues - especially at busy airports and ports. First-time registrations take more time than a standard passport check, so it's sensible to build extra time into your travel plans.

This is especially relevant if you're travelling on Eurostar, the Channel Tunnel or ferries from Dover, where EES and ETIAS checks happen at the UK side of the border (before you board) rather than on arrival in France. These places are prone to delays during busy periods as many passengers are using the new system for the first time.

Check your passport will work

Before any trip to Europe, make sure your passport is valid. Under the rules that have applied to UK travellers since Brexit, your passport must:

Be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from Europe.Be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from Europe.
Have been issued within the last 10 years.Have been issued within the last 10 years.

These requirements are not new, but they're worth double-checking - particularly if your passport is coming up for renewal or was issued a while ago. A passport that doesn't meet the requirements will mean you can't travel, regardless of EES or ETIAS.

Know your 90-day limit

UK travellers can visit the Schengen area of the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. One of the reasons behind EES is to tighten up this rule with digital tracking, as the old stamp system made it difficult to track precisely. If you travel frequently to Europe - even for short trips - it's worth keeping track of your days to make sure you stay within the limit.

Checklist - before you travel

Here's what you can do to prepare:

Before any European trip from 2026 onwards

Do check your passport. It must be valid for 3+ months after your return date, and issued within 10 years.Do check your passport. It must be valid for 3+ months after your return date, and issued within 10 years.
Do allow extra time at borders, especially for your first time using EES.Do allow extra time at borders, especially for your first time using EES.
Do be aware of the 90-day Schengen area rule if you visit Europe regularly.Do be aware of the 90-day Schengen area rule if you visit Europe regularly.
Do make sure you have travel insurance to cover you for any delays.Do make sure you have travel insurance to cover you for any delays.

Before travelling once ETIAS is live (late 2026)

Do apply for ETIAS with the official EU website before your trip.Do apply for ETIAS with the official EU website before your trip.
Do apply in plenty of time. Don't leave it to the last minute in case of delays.Do apply in plenty of time. Don't leave it to the last minute in case of delays.
Do make sure the passport you use to apply is the same one you travel with.Do make sure the passport you use to apply is the same one you travel with.
Do check that your ETIAS is still valid if your passport has been renewed.Do check that your ETIAS is still valid if your passport has been renewed.
Don’t use third party websites to apply - only use official EU channels.Don’t use third party websites to apply - only use official EU channels.

Don't forget your travel insurance

If border delays or processing issues cause you to miss a flight or connection, having the right travel insurance means you’re covered.

It’s worth considering arranging your travel insurance in advance to ensure you have appropriate cover in place and to help you plan ahead and manage potential unexpected costs while travelling.

Staying up to date

Both EES and ETIAS have seen delays and changes since they were first announced, so it's important to check for the latest information before you travel, especially as ETIAS approaches its launch later in 2026.

For the most reliable info, check UK Government travel advice and the EU official travel information site.

Key product information

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).

Important information

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.

EES and ETIAS explained - what’s the difference?